The verdict of the trial fell on Monday, November 2, 2020: a young man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for beating his wife, Aïssatou Sow to death. A verdict eagerly awaited by the family, which however deplores the lack of police reaction following the complaints of the young woman.
She was 21 years old. On September 18, 2016, Aïssatou Sow was killed by her companion, Gianni Drissi. The young woman was participating that evening in a housewarming party with her friends. Her companion then went into a fit of uncontrollable jealousy and sent her a video where he threatened her with death. Aïssatou Sow had finally returned home, after being accompanied by a friend. This is where Gianni Drissi kicked her in the head. After six weeks of coma, the young woman finally died on October 30, 2016.
The long quest for loved ones
This Monday, November 2, 2020 marked the end of a long legal battle for the victim's family. Noël Agossa, Aïssatou Sow's uncle and founder of the Never Again That Collective, believes today that justice has been done: his niece's assailant was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Even though Noël Agossa was hoping for a life sentence, he says he is relieved: "Justice has been served, he explains to the female. We had been waiting for this for 4 years: we had three postponements of trials, an interminable wait. " Which leads to an essential sentence, according to the uncle of the young woman, who wanted to "get truths." "We talk about mourning, he says, but it is not until the day after the funeral that he is done. Someone was murdered, we were angry … Our sentences were not yet fully covered. They are not even penalties, they are plagues. "
It is a relief. Justice has been served.
Complaints but no protection
The young woman was very discreet about the violence inflicted on her by her executioner, with whom she had been in a relationship for 6 years. Noël Agossa says: “We didn't know how things happened. (…) The years when my niece suffered, these are things that we did not know. Following this trial, we finally understood the horror that 'she had suffered. "
There were a lot of complaints actually, but basically none resulted in action.
Despite several visits to the police station, nothing was done to protect Noël Agossa's niece, said the latter: "Complaints have been lodged. But unfortunately, especially at the Villeneuve-Saint-Georges police station, there are some that have not been found because they have been dismissed", he explains to us. Some dated back almost 5 years before the event. Aïssatou Sow, before the assault that plunged her into a coma, had to undergo several hospitalizations due to the beatings.
A fight for all female victims
Today, Noël Agossa has made the fight against feminicides the fight of his life. The collective Plus Never That, of which he is the creator, aims to help victims of domestic violence and their loved ones. Militant marches, awareness raising in colleges, eavesdropping and preventive messages on the collective's Facebook page have become its driving force. While a second containment has been put in place, its commitment is more relevant than ever.
Regarding women who experience domestic violence, support numbers and platforms are also available:
- National and anonymous listening number: 39 19
- In case of emergency: call 17 or 112
- Use 114 by sms
- Online reporting: go to the platform STOP THE VIOLENCE